Attachment structure onto tape reel of tape body, attachment method thereof, deforming apparatus for tape body, and tape cassette

ABSTRACT

An attachment structure for a tape body which supports, on reel hubs, a tape body such as a leader tape, etc. to which a magnetic tape is connected. This attachment structure comprises a tape reel provided with a reel hub which takes cylindrical shape provided at the central portion thereof and a clamp member attached to the reel hub, and a tape body connected to the reel hub in the state where the end portion is supported by the clamp member and wound on the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub. The tape body supported by the reel hub is such that the base end portion side serving as root portion of the drawing side from the reel hub is deformed in the winding direction onto the reel hub following the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub. Deformation of the tape body is carried out by thermal deformation or pressure deformation, or thermal deformation and pressure deformation. The root portion serving as the supporting portion side onto the reel hub of the tape body is deformed following the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub, whereby the tape body is wound in the state closely in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/704,717, filedJan. 15, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,985 which is a continuation ofPCT/JP96/00062, filed Jan. 17, 1996.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tape body supporting structure and a tapebody supporting method for supporting, onto tape reels, a tape bodywound between a pair of tape reels rotatably supported within a cassettebody, an apparatus for deforming a tape body supported on the tapereels, and a tape cassette within which a pair of tape reels which havesupported a tape body are accommodated in the state where they arerotatably supported.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hitherto, there have been used recording and/or reproducing apparatusesfor recording and/or reproducing data of information processingequipment by using, as a recording medium, a tape cassette in which amagnetic tape for recording information signals is wound between a pairof tape reels rotatably supported within a cassette body formed bybutt-joining an upper half and a lower half.

As a tape cassette used as a recording medium of the recording and/orreproducing apparatuses of this kind, there is a tape cassette havingouter (outside) shape substantially the same as that of a tape cassettewithin which a magnetic tape having tape width caused to be 8 mm usedfor recording video signals, etc. as an analog signal is accommodated.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/orreproducing data of information processing equipment using, as arecording medium, the tape cassette within which the magnetic tape ofwhich tape width is caused to be 8 mm is accommodated as described abovecarries out recording and/or reproduction of data in the state where amagnetic tape wound between a pair of tape reels rotatably supportedwithin a tape cassette loaded in this apparatus is caused to be slidablyin contact with a rotational magnetic head device while allowing it toundergo constant velocity traveling from one tape reel serving as thesupply side toward the direction of the other tape reel serving as thewinding side.

In this recording and/or reproducing apparatus, as a system of allowinga magnetic tape to undergo constant velocity traveling, there are acapstan drive system and a reel drive system.

In the capstan drive system, as shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic tape 2 woundextending over a pair of tape reels 1A, 1B rotatably supported within atape cassette is caused to be put between a capstan 3 rotating at aconstant velocity and a pinch roller 4 caused to be in pressure contactwith the capstan 3 so that the magnetic tape 2 is caused to undergoconstant velocity traveling. In accordance with the capstan drivesystem, means for controlling tape tension of tension arm, etc. isdisposed in a traveling path for the magnetic tape 2 to control tapetension of the traveling magnetic tape 2 to thereby conduct a control sothat the magnetic tape 2 is traveled at a constant velocity. In allowingthe magnetic tape 2 to undergo constant velocity traveling, a reel driveshaft 6 engaged with the other tape reel 1B serving as the winding sideof the magnetic tape 2 of reel drive shafts 5, 6 provided at therecording and/or reproducing apparatus side respectively engaged with apair of tape reels 1A, 1B is rotationally driven to rotationally operatethe other tape reel 1B to allow the magnetic tape 2 to undergo windingoperation onto the other tape reel 1B side.

Moreover, in the reel drive system, as shown in FIG. 2, reel drive shaft6 engaged with the other tape reel 1B serving as the winding side of themagnetic tape 2 of reel drive shafts 5, 6 respectively engaged with apair of tape reels 1A, 1B of the tape cassette loaded in the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus is only rotationally driven to rotationallyoperate a pair of tape reels 1A, 1B to allow the magnetic tape 2 toundergo constant velocity traveling. In accordance with the reel drivesystem, in more practical sense, rotational period of the reel driveshaft 6 for allowing the other tape reel 1B to undergo rotationaloperation so that sum of rotational periods of the tape reel 1A servingas the supply side of the magnetic tape 2 and the other tape reel 1Bserving as the winding side of the magnetic tape 2 becomes constant iscontrolled to thereby control traveling velocity of the magnetic tape 2,thus to realize constant velocity traveling. In accordance with the reeldrive system, since the magnetic tape 2 can be traveled without allowingthe magnetic tape 2 to be put between the capstan and the pinch roller,the magnetic tape can be easily traveled at a high speed (velocity).Since the reel drive system can easily carry out high speed traveling ofthe magnetic tape 2, this system is advantageous in the case of carryingout search operation to retrieve desired data recorded on the magnetictape 2.

In order to realize stable constant velocity traveling of the magnetictape 2 in this reel drive system, it is necessary to control rotation ofthe reel drive shaft 6 for rotationally operating the other tape reel 1Bserving as the winding side so that sum of rotation periods of the tapereel 1A serving as the supply side of the magnetic tape 2 and the othertape reel 1B serving as the winding side of the magnetic tape 2precisely becomes constant in accordance with winding quantity of themagnetic tape 2 wound on the respective tape reels 1A, 1B. Meanwhile, inthe case where the magnetic tape 2 is in a deformed state such that aprojection is caused to take place at a portion of the circumferentialdirection thereof when the magnetic tape 2 is wound with respect torespective tape reels 1A, 1B, even if there is the state where rotationsof respective tape reels 1A, 1B are precisely controlled, any errorwould take place in the velocity of tape traveling. Namely, the reasonwhy such unfavorable phenomenon takes place is that when the windingdiameter with respect to respective tape reels 1A, 1B of the magnetictape 2 is deformed at a portion in the circumferential directionthereof, winding quantity with respect to the tape reel 1B of thedrawing or winding side from the tape reel 1A of the supply side of themagnetic tape 2 corresponding to quantities of rotation of respectivetape reels 1A, 1B would be changed.

As the tape reel 1A or 1B of the tape cassette used in a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus as described above, tape reel constitutedas shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is known.

In the tape reel 1A or 1B, a cylindrical reel hub 11 with which the reeldrive shaft provided at the recording and/or reproducing unit side isengaged is provided at the central portion, and reel flanges 12 forsupporting side edge of the magnetic tape 2 wound on the outercircumferential surface of the reel hub 11 to adjust the winding shape(put the winding shape in order) are integrally provided at both upperand lower ends of the reel hub 11.

The magnetic tape 2 adapted so that information signals are recordedthereon, which is wound on the tape reels 1A, 1B, is connected to aleader tape 13 for connection, and is connected to the reel hub 11through the leader tape 13. A tape body 14 wound on the tape reels 1A,1B is comprised of a connection body of the leader tape 13 and themagnetic tape 2.

At the outer circumferential portion of the reel hub 11, a fittingrecessed portion 16 into which a clamp member 15 is fitted is formed.Further, the leader tape 13 to which the magnetic tape 2 is connected isfitted into the fitting recessed portion 16 along with the clamp member15 in the state where the end portion side thereof is wound on thecircumferential surface of the clamp member 15, whereby the leader tape13 is caused to be put between the clamp member 15 and the fittingrecessed portion 16 so that it is supported by the reel hub 11.

At this time, the intermediate (middle) portion of the end portion sideof the leader tape 13 is supported by the clamp member 15, whereby thefree end 13a side and the connecting portion 13b side of the magnetictape 2 are respectively projected toward the outer circumferentialsurface 11a side of the reel hub 11 from the both sides of the clampmember 15. The outer circumferential surface 11a of the reel hub 11serves as winding surface of the tape body 14.

Meanwhile, since the leader tape 13 is provided with a view to providingprotection of fragile magnetic tape 2 to prevent occurrence of troubleor failure such as cutting, etc. to securely realize connection to thetape reels 1A, 1B, the leader tape 13 is formed by synthetic resinmaterial having large mechanical strength as compared to the magnetictape 2. The synthetic resin material having large mechanical strengthhas high rigidity and is difficult to be easily deformed. The leadertape 13 having high rigidity as stated above is adapted so that themiddle portion of the free end side is supported by the clamp member 15as shown in FIG. 3, root portions 17, 18 which are the base end portionside supported by the reel hub 11 of the free end portion 13a side andthe connecting portion 13b side respectively projected toward the outercircumferential surface 11a side of the reel hub 11 from the both sidesof the clamp member 15 are projected substantially vertically to theouter circumferential surface 11a as shown in FIG. 4. When the leadertape 13 is extended onto the outer circumferential surface of the clampmember 15 in this state and is further wound in a direction indicated byarrow R₁ in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the state where a fixed tension is renderedso as to overlap on the free end 13a, the root portion 17 of the freeend 13a side and the root portion 18 of the connecting portion 13b sideare swollen so that they are projected toward the outward from the outercircumferential surface 11a of the reel hub 11. This is because the rootportions 17, 18 of the leader tape 13 having high rigidity projectedfrom the both sides of the clamp member 15 would be only curved in thestate stretched from the outer circumferential surface 11a withoutundergoing deformation following the outer circumferential surface 11aof the reel hub 11 by the leader tape 13 wound on these root portions17, 18 in the state where a fixed tape tension is rendered.

Since the leader tape 13 having high rigidity supported on the reel hub11 by the clamp member 15 as described above is adapted so that the rootportion 18 of the connecting portion 13b side is only curved in thestate stretched from the outer circumferential surface 11a withoutundergoing deformation following the outer circumferential surface 11aof the reel hub 11, a gap S₁ takes place between the leader tape 13 andthe clamp member 15 in the vicinity of the point A₁ shown in FIG. 5 inthe vicinity of the root portion 18. Thus, there takes place aprojection projected toward the outward of the outer circumferentialsurface 11a by that gap S₁. In addition, also at the root portion 17 ofthe free end 13a side, a gap S₂ similarly takes place between the leadertape 13 and the clamp member 15 also in the vicinity of the point C₁shown in FIG. 5 in the vicinity of the root portion 17. As a result,there takes place a projection projected toward the outward of the outercircumferential surface 11a by that gap S₂.

When projection takes place at the root potions 17, 18 projected fromthe both sides of the clamp member 15 as described above, the magnetictape 2 wound on the leader tape 13 would be also wound following theprojection. Namely, the magnetic tape 2 would be wound in the eccentricstate where there takes place any unevenness in the winding diameter insuch a manner that the winding center is not caused to be incorrespondence with center of the tape reels 1A, 1B. Further, when themagnetic tape 2 is preserved for a long time in the state where windingshape onto the reel hub 11 thereof is deformed, any deformation may takeplace in the magnetic tape 2 in dependency upon the state ofpreservation.

When any deformation takes place in the magnetic tape 2 as stated above,contact state between the magnetic tape 2 and the rotational magnetichead unit of the apparatus side does not become constant when loadedinto the recording and/or reproducing apparatus to carry out recordingand/or reproduction of data. When the deformed portion of the magnetictape 2 reaches the portion on the rotational magnetic head unit, themagnetic tape 2 floats from the rotational magnetic head unit so thatthe magnetic tape 2 and the magnetic head are greatly spacedtherebetween. As a result, this gives rise to missing, etc. ofinformation signals subject to recording and/or reproduction. Thus, itbecomes impossible to carry out recording and/or reproduction ofinformation signals with satisfactory recording and/or reproductioncharacteristic.

Further, in the case where a tape cassette within which magnetic tape 2caused to be partially deformed is accommodated is loaded into therecording and/or reproducing apparatus employing the reel drive systemto carry out traveling operation of the magnetic tape 2, since thewinding diameter of the magnetic tape 2 changes at the deformed portion,any change takes place in the traveling velocity of the magnetic tape 2.Namely, as the result of the fact that winding diameter with respect torespective tape reels 1A, 1B of the magnetic tape 2 changes at a portionin the circumferential direction, there changes winding quantity withrespect to the tape reel 1B of the drawing or winding side from the tapereel 1A of the supply side of the magnetic tape 2 corresponding torotation quantities of respective tape reels 1A, 1B. Thus, linearvelocity of the magnetic tape 2 would be varied. When traveling velocityof the magnetic tape 2 has been varied in the reel drive system, itbecomes impossible to carry out recording and/or reproduction of datawith satisfactory recording and/or reproduction characteristic.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide an attachment structure onto atape reel of a tape body, an attachment method thereof, and a tapecassette using such an attachment structure which can wind a tape bodysuch as magnetic tape, etc. on which information signals are recordedwithout allowing it to undergo deformation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an attachment structureonto a tape reel of a tape body, an attachment method thereof, and atape cassette using such an attachment structure which can wind a leadertape which is a connecting tape body having high rigidity higher thanthat of a magnetic tape, to which the magnetic tape is connected, woundon the tape reel onto the outer circumferential surface of the reel hubwithout allowing projecting portion from the outer circumferentialsurface of the reel hub to take place to precisely concentrically windthe magnetic tape connected to the leader tape without allowing it to beeccentric with respect to the tape reel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a deforming apparatusfor a tape body which can easily realize an attachment structure onto atape reel of a tape body which can wind the tape body such as magnetictape, etc. without allowing the tape body to undergo deformation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a deformingapparatus for a tape body which can securely deform, following the outercircumferential surface of the reel hub, a leader tape which is aconnecting tape body, to which a magnetic tape supported is connected,on the reel hub.

An attachment structure onto a tape reel of a tape body according tothis invention proposed in order to attain objects as described abovecomprises a tape reel provided with a reel hub which takes a cylindricalshape provided at the central portion and a clamp member attached to thereel hub, and a tape body connected to the reel hub in the state wherethe end portion thereof is supported by the clamp member and wound onthe outer circumferential surface of the reel hub, wherein the base endportion side of the drawing side from the reel hub of the tape body isdeformed in a winding direction onto the reel hub following the outercircumferential surface of the reel hub.

In this case, deformation of the tape body is carried out by thermaldeformation or pressure deformation.

Moreover, a method for attachment onto a tape reel of a tape bodyaccording to this invention, comprises the steps of attaching a clampmember on a reel hub provided at the central portion of the tape reel,allowing the reel hub to support thereon the end portion of the tapebody wound on the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub,squeezing or drawing the base end portion side of the supporting portionside onto the reel hub of the tape body while pressing it at a constantpressure to the reel hub side by a pressing member, pressing or holdingthe base end portion side of the tape body onto the outercircumferential surface side of the reel hub for a predetermined time inthe state where the base end portion side of the tape body is heated todeform the tape body in a winding direction of the reel hub followingthe outer circumferential surface of the reel hub.

When the tape body is caused to undergo deformation, the tape reel isrotated while pressing, to the reel hub side, by a pressing member, theposition spaced from the base end portion of the tape body supported onthe reel hub by the clamp member to squeeze or draw the base end portionof the tape body.

The deforming apparatus for tape body according to this invention whichdeforms the tape body supported on the reel hub of the tape reelessentially comprises a pair of reel tables on which a pair of tapereels which support respective end portions of the tape body by clampmembers attached on the reel hubs provided at the central portions arerespectively mounted, a reel table pressing operation mechanism forallowing one reel table to undergo relative movement with respect to theother reel base and for rotating it, a heating member disposed in amanner opposite to movement direction of the reel table pressingoperation mechanism and formed so as to take a shape of curved surfacedefined as a recess-shaped portion in correspondence with curvature ofthe outer circumferential surface of the reel hub of the front endsurface side, and a biasing member for rotationally biasing, indirections opposite to each other, a pair of tape reels respectivelymounted on the pair of reel tables.

In addition, a tape cassette according to this invention comprises acassette body, a pair of tape reels each provided at the central portionthereof with a reel hub with which a reel drive shaft is engaged, androtatably supported on the cassette body, and a tape body havingrespective end portions each supported by a clamp member attached to thereel hub and wound between the pair of tape reels, wherein the tapecassette is provided with a configuration in which the base end portionside of the drawing side from the reel hub of at least one tape reel ofthe tape body is deformed in a winding direction onto the reel hubfollowing the outer circumferential surface of the reel hub.

Still more further objects of this invention and advantages realized bythis invention will become more apparent from the description of morepractical embodiments which will be described below with reference tothe attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing traveling operation state ofmagnetic tape of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus employing thecapstan drive system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing traveling operation state ofmagnetic tape of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus employing thereel drive system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a conventional tape reel in the statewhere leader tape is supported on reel hub.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing leader tape supported on reel hub.

FIG. 5 is an essential part plan view showing the state where leadertape is supported on reel hub through clamp member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a tape cassette according to thisinvention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface side of the tapecassette.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the tape cassette.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the state where leader tape is supportedthrough clamp member on reel hub.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the state where leader tape supported onreel hub is caused to undergo deformation.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of reel hub portion showing the state whereleader tape is deformed.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the state where leader tape is connectedbetween a pair of tape reels.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a deforming apparatus for allowingleader tape supported on reel hub to undergo deformation.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the state where tape reel is advanced tothe heater block side in order to allow leader tape supported on reelhub to undergo deformation.

FIG. 15 a plan view of tape reel assembly showing the state where tapereels are mounted on first and second reel tables of tape deformingapparatus.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of tape reel assembly body showing the statewhere tape reel mounted on the first reel table is advanced to theheater block side.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the state where heater block is caused tobe in pressure contact with the outer circumferential surface of reelhub.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the state where heater block presses andsupports root portions of leader tape supported on reel hub and theportion on clamp member which supports leader tape.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing another example of heater block.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the state where bending peculiarity isimplemented to root portions of leader tape supported on reel hub.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the state where the leader tape in whichbending peculiarity has been implemented to the root portions is woundon the outer circumferential surface of reel hub.

FIG. 22 is an essential part plan view showing the state where theleader tape in which bending peculiarity has been implemented to rootportions is wound on clamp member.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a recording and/or reproducingapparatus of the reel drive system into which a tape cassette accordingto this invention is loaded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

More practical embodiments of this invention will now be described withreference to the attached drawings.

A tape cassette 21 according to this invention to which a supportingstructure for tape body according to this invention is applied will bedescribed below. This tape cassette 21 includes, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7and 8, a cassette body 25 in which an upper half 22 and a lower half 23are butted to each other and connected by means of plural fixing screws24. Within the cassette body 25, a pair of tape reels 27, 28 on which amagnetic tape 26 on which information signals such as data information,etc. used in information processing equipment such as computer, etc. arerecorded is wound in the state across these tape reels are rotationallyaccommodated. One of these tape reels 27, 28 serves as the supply sideof the magnetic tape 26, and the other is used as the winding side ofthe magnetic tape 26.

The cassette body 25 is provided, as shown in FIG. 6, with an indicationwindow 29 which takes rectangular shape at the upper half 22constituting the upper surface portion, and the state of the magnetictape 26 wound between a pair of tape reels 27, 28 accommodated withinthe cassette body 25 is permitted to undergo visual observation throughthe indication window 29. Moreover, at the lower half 23 constitutingthe bottom surface portion of the cassette body 25, as shown in FIG. 7,there are provided reel drive shaft insertion holes 32, 33 through whichthere are inserted reel drive shafts of the recording and/or reproducingapparatus side, which allow portions of reel hubs 31, 31 provided at thecentral portions of respective tape reels 27, 28 to be faced to theoutward and are engaged with reel hubs 31, 31 of the respective tapereels 27, 28 to rotationally operate these tape reels 27, 28.

A pair of tape reels 27, 28 used in this tape cassette 21 are formed bythe same configuration. Similarly to the previously describedconventional tape reel, as shown in FIG. 9, reel hub 31 which takescylindrical shape with which the reel drive shaft is engaged is providedat the central portion, and reel flanges 34 are integrally provided atboth upper and lower ends of the reel hub 31. The magnetic tape 26 woundextending over these tape reels 27, 28 is connected to a leader tape 35for connection, and is connected to the reel hub 31 through the leadertape 35. Accordingly, a tape body 36 wound between a pair of tape reels27, 28 is comprised of a connecting body of the magnetic tape 26 and theleader tape 35.

Moreover, at the outer circumferential portion of the reel hub 31, afitting recessed portion 38 into which a clamp member 37 is fitted isformed. Further, the leader tape 35 which connects the magnetic tape 26is fitted into the fitting recessed portion 38 along with the clampmember 37 in the state where the end portion side is wound on thecircumferential surface of the clamp member 37, whereby the leader tape35 is supported on the reel hub 31 in the state put between the clampmember 37 and the fitting recessed portion 38.

A pair of tape reels 27, 28 on which the magnetic tape 26 connectedthrough leader tape 35 is wound as described above are rotatablyaccommodated within the cassette body 25 by fitting the base end portionsides of reel hubs 31, 31 into reel drive shaft insertion holes 32, 33to support them. The tape reels 26, 27 accommodated within the cassettebody 25 are adapted so that the rotational center portions of the upperend side of the reel hubs 31, 31 are pressed and supported as shown inFIG. 8 to the lower half 23 side by reel pressing springs 40, 41attached to the inside surface of the upper half 22. The tape reels 26,27 supported by reel pressing springs 40, 41 in this way are rotatablysupported within the cassette body 25 in the state where shaking in theupper and lower directions is prevented.

Moreover, the tape body 36 including the magnetic tape 26 wound betweena pair of tape reels 26, 27 is drawn out toward the outward of thecassette body 25 through opening portions 42, 43 for drawing of tapeprovided on the both sides of the front side of the cassette body 25.The tape body 36 drawn out toward the outward of the cassette body 25 istraveled extending over a pair of tape reels 26, 27 along the frontportion of the cassette body 25.

At the front portion side where the tape body 26 is traveled in theextended state of the cassette body 25, a front cover 45 foropening/closing the front portion is rotatably attached. This frontcover 45 is rotatably attached on the cassette body 25 by allowingsupport shafts 49 projected on rotational pieces 46, 47 provided on theboth sides of a cover plate 45a which covers the front side of thecassette body 25 to be pivotally supported through engagement holes 50,51 provided on the both sides opposite to each other of the cassettebody 25, whereby the front cover 45 is rotatably supported on thecassette body 25.

Since the leader tape 35 supported by the clamp member 37 on a pair oftape reels 26, 27 accommodated within the tape cassette 21 constitutedas described above is provided for the purpose of providing protectionof fragile magnetic tape 26 to prevent occurrence of trouble or failuresuch as cutting, etc. to securely carry out connection to tape reels 27,28, the leader tape 35 is formed by synthetic resin material havingmechanical strength greater than that of the magnetic tape 26. Thesynthetic resin material having large mechanical strength has highrigidity and is difficult to be deformed. The leader tape 35 having highrigidity as stated above is adapted so that when the middle portion ofthe free end side is supported by the clamp member 37 as shown in FIG.9, root portions 52, 53 which are the base end portion of the supportingportion side to the reel hub 31 of the free end 35a side and theconnecting portion 35b side respectively projected toward the outercircumferential surface 31a side serving as the winding surface of thetape body 36 of the reel hub 31 from the both sides of the clamp member15 are projected substantially vertically to the outer circumferentialsurface 31a.

In view of the above, in this invention, in order that the leader tape35 is wound in the state tightly in contact with the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31, root portions 52, 53 ofthe leader tape 35 projected substantially vertically to the outercircumferential surface 31a are deformed following the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31.

In order to deform the base end portion of the supporting portion sideto the reel hub 31 of the leader tape 35, i.e., root portions 52, 53drawn out from the clamp member 37 following the outer circumferentialsurface 31a of the reel hub 31, as shown in FIG. 10, a heater 55 as aheating body is caused to be in contact with the root portions 52, 53 ofthe leader tape 35 projected toward the both sides of the clamp member37 to heat such portions to deform them in such a manner that bendingpeculiarity is rendered following the outer circumferential surface 31aof the reel hub 31. At this time, deformation direction of the rootportions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 is caused to be winding directionto the reel hub 31 of the leader tape 35.

Meanwhile, in order to deform the root portions 52, 53 of the leadertape 35 following the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub31, it is necessary to advance and withdraw the heater 55 along theouter circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31. In view of theabove, the heater 55 is connected to a plunger rod 57 of a solenoidplunger 56, and is supported so that it is advanced and withdrawn in thedirections indicated by arrows X₁ and X₂ in FIG. 10.

Further, it is desirable that temperature in thermally deforming theroot portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 is about 60 to 100° C. tosuch a degree that bad influence such as damage, etc. is not exerted onthe reel hub 31 formed by synthetic resin.

In order to deform the root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35following the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31, sucha deformation may be carried out by a pressure deformation to applypressure to the root portions 52, 53 to deform them without carrying outheating. In accordance with the pressure deformation, the root portions52, 53 of the leader tape 35 are caused to be in pressure contact withthe outer circumferential surface 31a side of the reel hub 31 by apressure application member to deform those root portions.

It is to be noted that, in order to deform the root portions 52, 53 ofthe leader tape 35 following the outer circumferential surface 31a ofthe reel hub 31, heating deformation and pressure (application)deformation may be used in combination.

When the root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 are deformedfollowing the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 byheating or application of pressure, the leader tape 35 is woundfollowing the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31without allowing projecting portions to take place on the both sides ofthe clamp member 37 as shown in FIG. 11. Accordingly, it is possible toprecisely concentrically wind the magnetic tape 26 connected to theleader tape 35 on the leader tape 35 in the state where it has correctwinding shape concentrically with the reel hub 31 on the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31. Thus, there is nopossibility that any deformation is not caused to take place at aportion in the circumferential direction of the reel hub 31.

Meanwhile, in order to wind the magnetic tape 26 on the pair of tapereels 27, 28 used in the above-described tape cassette 21, it issufficient to connect leader tape 35 to which magnetic tape 26 isconnected between a pair of tape reels 27, 28 as shown in FIG. 12.Namely, there is prepared an assembly (assembling body) 60 in which bothend portions of a single leader tape 35 are respectively connected toreel hubs 31, 31 of respective tape reels 27, 28 by clamp members 37,37.

The leader tape 35 of the assembling body 60 is cut at the centralportion in order to connect the magnetic tape 26. As the result of thefact that the magnetic tape 26 is connected between end portions ofleader tapes 35, 35 supported on the respective tape reels 27, 28 side,tape body 36 wound between a pair of tape reels 27, 28 is constituted.This tape body 36 is wound onto one tape reel 28 serving as the supplyside. As stated above, the magnetic tape 26 is connected between leadertapes 35 to wind the magnetic tape 26 onto one tape reel 28, whereby apair of tape reels 27, 28 on which tape body 36 accommodated within thetape cassette 21 is wound are constituted.

In this case, it is desirable to carry out deformation for allowing rootportions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 projected substantially verticallyto the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 to followthe outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 in the stateconnected between a pair of tape reels 27, 28 before the magnetic tape26 is connected. This is because the magnetic tape 26 connected to theleader tape 35 is prevented from being damaged, and the leader tape 35is permitted to easily undergo deformation.

In view of the above, a deforming apparatus 61 for tape body accordingto this invention which applies deformation to the leader tape 35(allows the leader tape 35 to undergo deformation) of the tape reelassembly 60 in which a pair of tape reels 27, 28 are connected to eachother by the single leader tape 35 will now be described.

This deforming apparatus 61 for tape body is adapted as shown in FIG. 13so that the both end portions of the leader tape 35 are supported onreel hubs 31 through clamp members 37, assembling body 60 of a pair oftape reels 27, 28 connected by leader tape 35 is mounted, and the frontend portion of the heater block is placed in the state caused to be inpressure contact, at a fixed pressure, with the outer circumferentialsurface of corresponding reel hub 31 of tape reels 27, 28 constitutingthe mounted assembling body 60 to rotate the pair of tape reels 27, 28in the same direction to trace the outer circumferential surface of thereel hub 31 to squeeze the root portions 52, 53 supported by the clampmember 37 of leader tape 35, and to apply a predetermined temperaturefor a predetermined time to deform them.

Namely, the deforming apparatus 61 for tape body according to thisinvention includes, as shown in FIG. 13, a reel mounting portion 62 inwhich the tape reel assembly body 60 is mounted and a control portion63.

The reel mounting portion 62 includes a first reel table 64 on which oneof a pair of tape reels 27, 28 constituting the tape reel assemblingbody 60, which serves as the tape winding side, is mounted, and a secondreel table 65 on which the other tape reel is mounted. This reel tablemounting portion 62 is provided with a heater block 66 disposed in amanner opposite to the first reel table 64, and a cylinder portion 67for advancing and withdrawing the first reel table 64 with respect tothe heater block 66 by control of air pressure of compressed air to theheater block side, and rotationally operating the first reel table 64.Further, the second reel table 65 is rotationally biased by an extension(tensile) spring 68 in a direction indicated by arrow F in FIG. 13 whichis opposite direction to the rotation direction which is a directionindicated by arrow E in FIG. 13 rotationally operated after the firstreel table 64 is caused to be in pressure contact with the heater block66 and is supported on the heater block 66 by the cylinder portion 67.This extension spring 68 is stretched between a supporting pin 71vertically provided on a bottom plate 70 of a housing 69 constitutingthe apparatus body of the deforming apparatus 61 and a holding pin 72projected at the eccentric position of the base end portion side of thesecond reel table 65 to thereby rotationally bias the second reel table65 in the direction indicated by arrow F in FIG. 13.

Further, the heater block 66 includes therewithin, as shown in FIG. 14,a heater 73 for heating the front end portion and a temperature sensor74, wherein the front end portion is formed tapered. Moreover, the frontend surface of the heater block 66 is caused to be a contact portion 75with respect to the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31of the tape reel 27 serving as the winding side mounted on the firstreel table 64. This contact portion 75 is formed as a recessed curvedsurface having the same curvature as that of the outer circumferentialsurface 31a of the reel hub 31 which takes a cylindrical shape, and isformed so as to have thickness substantially equal to the width of theleader tape 35 wound on the outer circumferential surface 31a of thereel hub 31. Namely, the contact portion 75 is formed so as to have ashape such that it is in contact with the outer circumferential surface31a following the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31to press the entire width of the leader tape 35. Moreover, since thecontact portion 75 is a portion for rendering bending deformation to theroot portions 52, 53 drawn out from the both sides of the clamp member37 of the leader tape 35 supported by the clamp member 37 engaged withthe reel hub 31, the contact portion 75 is formed with a widthsufficient to press root portions 52, 53 drawn out from the both sidesof the clamp member 37.

On the other hand, the control portion 63 includes, as shown in FIG. 13,a timer section 76 for controlling heating time of the heater 73 of theheater block 66, a heater temperature adjuster 77 for controllingheating temperature of the heater 73, a power switch 78 for controllingswitching of the main power, and a start switch 79. In this case, theheater temperature adjuster 77 serves to adjust heating temperature ofthe heater 73 so as to provide a temperature sufficient to thermallydeform the leader tape 35 formed by cutting film sheet of syntheticresin while preventing damage by heat of the reel hub 31 formed asmolded body of synthetic resin. In the deforming apparatus 61 of thisinvention, the heater temperature adjuster 77 serves to adjust heatingtemperature of the heater 73 within the range of about 60 to 100° C. Itis to be noted that heating temperature of the heater 73 controlled bythe heater temperature adjuster 77 is suitably variably adjusted inaccordance with material constituting the leader tape 35 to be deformed.

The process steps for deforming root portions 52, 53 drawn out from theboth sides of the clamp member 37 of the leader tape 35 supported on thereel hub 31 through the clamp member 37 by using the deforming apparatus61 for tape body constituted as described above to render bendingpeculiarity thereto will now be described in succession.

At the first process step, the leader tape 35 of the tape reelassembling body 60 is wound onto the tape reel 27 or 28 at the sidewhere deformation processing of the root portions 52, 53 is not carriedout. In this process step, the entire portion of the leader tape 35 iswound onto one tape reel 27 serving as the supply side. Further, thetape reel 28 for carrying out deformation processing of the rootportions 52, 53 is mounted on the first reel table 64, and the tape reel27 of the side which has wound the leader tape 35 is mounted on the reeltable 65. At this time, respective tape reels 28, 27 are mounted in thestate where engagement shafts 64a, 65a projected at the central portionof the first and second reel tables 64, 65 are engaged with reel shaftinsertion holes 33, 32 provided at the central portions of the reel hub31. In a manner as stated above, respective tape reels 28, 27 aremounted on the first and second reel tables 64, 65 in the state wherethe engagement shafts 64a, 65a are engaged with the reel shaft insertionholes 33, 32, whereby they are mounted in the rotation impossible statewith respect to respective reel tables 64, 65.

When respective tape reels 28, 27 are mounted on the reel tables 64, 65,respective tape reels 28, 27 are disposed with respective centers P₁, P₂being caused to be in correspondence with the reference line Q₁ as shownin FIG. 15. At this time, the tape reel 28 mounted on the first reeltable 64 is placed in the state where the clamp member 37 is opposite tothe tape reel 27 mounted on the second reel table 65.

When the start switch 79 is turned ON at the time point when the tapereels 28, 27 are respectively mounted on the reel tables 64, 65,compressed air is delivered from air pump (not shown) to the cylinderportion 67. As a result, cylinder rods 67a are advanced in a directionindicated by arrow G in FIG. 13. Thus, the first reel table 64 connectedto the cylinder rods 67a is moved in the direction indicated by arrow Gin FIG. 13 which is the direction where the first reel table 64connected to the cylinder rod 67a becomes closer to the heater block 66in one body with the cylinder rod 67a. At this time, the heatertemperature adjuster 77 is controlled, whereby the heater 73 issubjected to heating control so that temperature becomes equal tosubstantially 90° C. It is to be noted that heating temperature of theheater 73 is suitably adjusted in accordance with material constitutingthe leader tape 35 subject to deformation processing or materialconstituting the reel hub 31.

When the first reel table 64 is advanced in the direction indicated byarrow G in FIG. 16 caused to become close to the heater block 66 fromthe initial position as shown in FIG. 16, the second reel table 65 onwhich the tape reel 27 where no deformation processing of leader tape 35is carried out is mounted is placed at the fixed position withoutchanging that position. Moreover, since the second reel table 65 isrotationally biased by the extension spring 68 in a direction indicatedby the arrow F in FIG. 16 which is the direction to wind the leader tape35 wound on the tape reel 27 mounted on the reel table 65, drawingoperation of the leader tape 35 from the tape reel 27 is limited.Further, tension is rendered to the leader tape 35 which connects a pairof tape reels 28, 27 mounted on the first and second reel tables 64, 65in accordance with quantity of movement to the heater block 66 side ofthe first reel table 64.

When compressed air is further supplied from the air pump to thecylinder portion 67 from the state where the first reel table 64 isadvanced to the heater block 66 side, the first reel table 64 is furthermoved in the direction indicated by arrow G in FIG. 16. Thus, thecontact portion 75 of the heater block 66 comes into pressure contactwith the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 of thetape reel 28 mounted on the reel table 64 as shown in FIG. 17. At thistime, the first reel table 64 is supported on the heater block 66 sothat further movement in the direction indicated by arrow G in FIG. 16is limited. When compressed air is further supplied from the air pump tothe cylinder portion 67 from the state where movement of the first reeltable 64 is limited, the first reel table 64 is rotated in a directionindicated by arrow H in FIGS. 16 and 17 in the state supported by theheater block 66.

It is to be noted that, in order to carry out smooth rotation in thedirection indicated by arrow H in FIGS. 16 and 17 of the first reeltable 64 from the state where the heater block 66 is in pressure contactwith the reel hub 31 of the tape reel 28, it is desirable to providedifference between center of the reel hub 31 and center of curvature ofthe contact portion 75. Namely, center of curvature of the contactportion 75 is shifted toward the side opposite to the rotation directionof the first reel table 64 with respect to the center of the reel hub31.

Further, when the first reel table 64 is rotated in the state where theheater block 66 is in pressure contact with the reel hub 31 of the tapereel 28, the tape reel 28 is rotated in the state where the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 is traced by the contactportion 75 of the heater block 66 in one body with the first reel body64.

It is to be noted that the contact initial position of the contactportion 75 of the heater block 66 with respect to the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 is caused to be theposition except for the position where the clamp member 37 is attached.This is because the heater block 66 is opposite to the first reel table64 from a direction perpendicular to the reference line Q₁ connectingcenters P₁, P₂ of the respective tape reels 28, 27 located at theinitial position.

Further, when the tape reel 28 mounted on the first reel table 64 isrotated in the direction indicated by arrow H in FIGS. 16 and 17 in thestate where the contact portion 75 of the heater block 66 is in pressurecontact with the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31,the root portions 52, 53 projected from the both sides of the clampmember 37 of the leader tape 35 are bent toward the rotational directionof the tape reel 28 by the contact portion 75 of the heater block 66. Atthis time, the root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 are bent insuch a manner elongated in the rotational direction of the tape reel 28by the contact portion 75 of the heater block 66 moving in the statecaused to be in pressure contact with the portion on the leader tape 35,i.e., while being squeezed.

When rotation of the tape reel 28 is continued so that the contactportion 75 of the heater block 66 reaches the position where the clampmember 37 is covered including the root portions 52, 53 of the leadertape 35 projected from the both sides of the clamp member 37 as shown inFIG. 18, quantity of compressed air delivered from the air pump to thecylinder portion 67 is controlled. As a result, rotation of the firstreel table 64 is stopped. Thus, the contact portion 75 of the heaterblock 66 holds for several seconds, e.g., 2 seconds the state caused tobe in pressure contact with the clamp member 37 so as to include theroot portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35. As stated above, since theroot portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 are heated after they arebent while being squeezed by the contact portion 75 of the heater block66, degree of bending is permitted to be great (can be increased). As aresult, it is possible to suppress elastic (resilient) return force ofthe root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 bent while beingsqueezed. Thus, it is possible to securely hold the bending peculiarity.

The heat treatment of the root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 maybe carried out from the state where the contact portion 75 of the heaterblock 66 presses the root portions 52, 53, or may be such that theheater block 66 is heated from the time point before the contact portion75 of the heater block 66 presses the root portions 52, 53 to squeezethe leader tape 35 in the heated state. Also in the case where theleader tape 35 is squeezed in the heated state as described above, it isdesirable for securely holding the bending peculiarity to heat the rootportions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 in the state where those rootportions are pressed by the heater block 66.

When heat treatment of the root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 bythe heater block 66 is completed, the cylinder rod 67a of the cylinderportion 67 is caused to undergo biasing force of returning biasing means(not shown) so that it is returned to the initial position. When thecylinder rod 67a is returned to the initial position, the first reeltable 64 is also returned to the initial position. Thus, deformationprocess of the leader tape 35 is completed.

Meanwhile, as the contact portion 75 to the reel hub 31 constituted atthe front end portion side of the heater block 66, if the contactportion has a shape capable of rendering bending peculiarity to the rootportions 52, 53 drawn out from the both sides of the clamp member 37 ofthe leader tape 35 supported by the clamp member 37 engaged with thereel hub 31, various kinds of contact portions may be used. For example,the contact portion 75 may be as shown in FIG. 19 such that a cutrecessed portion 75a is provided at the central portion to form, on theboth sides of the cut recessed portion 75a, pressing portions 75b, 75cwhich press the root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 so as toinclude the both sides of the clamp member 37.

The root portions 52, 53 drawn out from the both sides of the clampmember 37 of the leader tape 35 to which deformation processing has beenimplemented as described above are adapted so that even after they aredetached from the deforming apparatus 61, the bending peculiarity suchthat they are bent so as to take an acute angle in the tangentialdirection of the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 isrendered as shown in a FIG. 20.

While it has been described that the root portions 52, 53 of the leadertape 35 connected to the tape reel 28 side serving as the winding sideof the tape body 36 are caused to undergo bending deformation, rootportions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 connected to the tape reel 27 sideserving as the supply side may be caused to undergo bending deformation.By allowing the leader tape 35 connected to the tape reel 27 sideserving as the supply side to also have the bending peculiarity in thisway, it is possible to suppress deformation of the tape body 36 wound onthe tape reel 27. In order to allow the root portions 52, 53 of theleader tape 35 of both tape reel 27, 28 sides to undergo bendingdeformation, it is sufficient to implement deformation processing to onetape reel 28 side thereafter to mount the other tape reel 27 on thefirst reel table 64 side to carry out processing as previouslydescribed.

As described above, the leader tape 35 in which bending deformationprocessing has been implemented to the root portions 52, 53 is wound ina direction indicated by arrow R₂ in FIG. 21 on the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 in the state where theconnecting portion 35b side to which the magnetic tape 26 is connectedis extended onto the clamp member 37, and is further stacked on the freeend portion 35a side. At this time, since the leader tape 35 is adaptedso that such a bending peculiarity bent so as to take an acute angle inthe tangential direction of the outer circumferential surface 31a of thereel hub 31 is implemented to the root portions 52, 53 located at theboth sides of the clamp member 37, this leader tape 35 is woundfollowing the outer circumferential surface 31a in the state closely incontact with the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 asshown in FIG. 22. Namely, occurrence of projection projected toward theoutward of the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 atthe root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 is prevented.

Since such a bending peculiarity of acute angle to extend in thetangential direction of the outer circumferential surface 31a of thereel hub 31 is implemented to the root portions 52, 53 of the leadertape 35 projected from the both sides of the clamp member 37 asdescribed above, when the leader tape 35 is wound onto the reel hub 31as shown in FIG. 22, it is wound in the state where occurrence ofswollen portion toward the outward of the outer circumferential surface31 is prevented at the both sides of the clamp member 37.

Namely, the leader tape 35 is adapted so that occurrence of gap betweenthe leader tape 35 and the outer circumferential surface of the clampmember 37 or the outer circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 issuppressed at one root portion 52 where the free end 35a side isprojected from the clamp member 37 and the other root portion 53 wherethe connecting portion 35b side to which the magnetic tape 26 isconnected is projected from the clamp member 37. Thus, it is possible toeliminate occurrence of projection projected toward the outward from theouter circumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31. Accordingly, theleader tape 35 is wound in the state closely in contact with the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31. As the result of thefact that the leader tape 35 is wound on the outer circumferentialsurface 31a of the reel hub 31 in a manner to be closely in contacttherewith as stated above, the magnetic tape 26 connected to the leadertape 35 and wound on the leader tape 35 is wound onto the reel hub 31 insuch a manner to form winding shape of complete round in the state wherea portion is not caused to be eccentric with center of the reel hub 31being as center. Namely, the magnetic tape 26 is prevented fromundergoing unfavorable phenomenon such that it is wound on the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31 in the state where itsmiddle portion is deformed.

Since the leader tape 35 is adapted in the above-described example sothat its middle portion is supported by the clamp member 37 so that itis attached on the reel hub 31, the free end 35a side and the connectingportion 35b side of the magnetic tape 26 are projected toward the outercircumferential surface side of the outer circumferential surface 31a ofthe reel hub 31 from the both sides of the clamp member 37. However,there may be employed a leader tape such that the free end 35a side isheld without projecting the free end 35a side toward the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31.

Moreover, in a tape reel in which the leader tape 35 is supported insuch a manner to project the free end 35a toward the outercircumferential surface 31a of the reel hub 31, a recessed portioncorresponding to width of the leader tape 35 may be provided at theouter circumferential surface 31a portion of the reel hub 31 where thefree end 35a extends so that no offset takes place at the end portion ofthe free end 35a side when the leader tape 35 is stacked on the free end35a. Further, a shaved portion corresponding to width of the leader tape35 may be provided at the portion extending from the side surface to theouter circumferential surface of the clamp member 37 from which theconnecting portion 35b side of the leader tape 35 is drawn out to avoidswelling by overlap of the leader tape 35.

The leader tape 35 which connects a pair of tape reels 27, 28constituting tape reel assembling body 60 in which bending peculiarityis rendered to the root portions 52, 53 projected from the clamp member37 of the leader tape 35 as described above is cut, and the magnetictape 26 is connected between connecting portions 35b extended from therespective tape reels 27, 28. The magnetic tape 26 connected through theleader tape 35 is wound with respect to the tape reel 27 side serving asthe supply side. A pair of tape reels 27, 28 which have wound themagnetic tape 26 thus connected with respect to the tape reel 27 sideserving as the supply side in a manner as stated above are accommodatedwithin the previously described cassette body 25 to constitute tapecassette 21.

A recording/reproducing apparatus using the tape cassette 21 as arecording medium will now be described. This recording/reproducingapparatus is used as an external memory (storage) unit for informationprocessing equipment such as computer, etc. and employs the reel drivesystem of rotationally driving, by means of a drive motor, tape reel 28serving as the winding side of the magnetic tape 26 without provision ofconstant velocity traveling operation means for the magnetic tape by thecapstan and the pinch roller to thereby realize constant velocitytraveling of the magnetic tape 26. This recording/reproducing apparatusincludes, as shown in FIG. 23, a pair of reel drive shafts 81, 82engaged with reel hubs 31, 31 of tape reels 27, 28 accommodated withinthe tape cassette 21 and respectively rotationally driven by drive motor(not shown) which rotationally operate the tape reels 27, 28, a motordrive section 83 for rotationally driving the drive motor whichrotationally drive respective reel drive shafts 81, 82, detectioncircuits 84, 85 for detecting winding state of the magnetic tape 26wound on the respective tape reels 27, 28, an operation element 86 fordetermining, by operation, sum of rotation periods of the respectivetape reels 27, 28 of which rotation speeds are adjusted in dependencyupon winding state of the magnetic tape 26, and a motor control section87 supplied with an output from the operation element 86 to control themotor drive section 83 on the basis of the input signal so that sum ofrotation periods of respective tape reels 27, 28 becomes constant.Further, this recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a rotationmagnetic head unit 91 including a rotation drum 88 on which the magnetictape 26 drawn out from the tape cassette 21 is wound, and magnetic heads89 slidably in contact with the magnetic tape 26 traveling in the statewound on the rotation drum 88 and adapted for carrying out recordingand/or reproduction of data with respect to the magnetic tape 26.Moreover, the recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a reproductionamplifier 92 for generating, as an amplifier output, an automatictracking control signal (ATF signal), which conducts a control so thatthe magnetic head 89 precisely scans recording tracks formed on themagnetic tape 26, on the basis of signals outputted from the magneticheads 89 at the time of reproduction to input this ATF signal to themotor control section 87. When the automatic tracking control signal isinputted, the motor control section 87 outputs a control signal inaccordance with scanning position of the recording track of the magnetichead 89 to control the motor drive section 83 to control rotationalspeeds of the respective tape reels 27, 28 to conduct a control so thatthe magnetic head 89 precisely scans the recording tracks formed on themagnetic tape 26.

The recording/reproduction apparatus constituted as described above isoperative at the time of recording/reproduction of data to controlrotational speed of the drive motor which rotationally operates the tapereel 28 serving as the winding side in accordance with rotation periodsof the respective tape reels 27, 28, thus to realize constant velocitytraveling of the magnetic tape 26.

By using the tape cassette 21 according to this invention in such arecording/reproducing apparatus employing the reel drive system, it ispossible to securely carry out stable traveling of the magnetic tape 26.Namely, since the tape cassette 21 according to this invention is suchthat bending peculiarity is rendered to the root portions 52, 53 of theleader tape 35 to which the magnetic tape 26 is connected to deformthem, the leader tape 35 is permitted to be wound thereon in the stateclosely in contact with the outer circumferential surface 31a of thereel hub 31 without allowing large projection to take place. In thiscase, the magnetic tape 26 wound on the leader tape 35 is wound on thereel hub 31 in such a manner to form winding shape of complete round inthe state where winding center is caused to be in correspondence withcenter of the reel hub 31. For this reason, the magnetic tape 26 isdrawn out from the tape reel 27 of the supply side and is traveled inthe state caused to be precisely in correspondence with rotationvelocities of respective tape reels 27, 28. Namely, the magnetic tape 26is precisely traveled in the state where linear velocity is caused to beconstant at all times. Since traveling of the magnetic tape 26 isrealized without fluctuating drawing velocity from the tape reel 27 ofthe supply side in this way, it is possible to precisely carry outcontrol of traveling of the magnetic tape 26. Thus, it is possible tocarry out satisfactory data recording and/or reproduction.

Moreover, also in the case where the tape cassette 21 according to thisinvention is used in the recording/reproducing apparatus of the capstandrive system, deformed portion does not take place at a portion of themagnetic tape 26. Accordingly, stable traveling of the magnetic tape 26is realized. In addition, precise slide contact between the magnetichead and the magnetic tape 26 is realized, whereby satisfactory datarecording and/or reproduction can be realized.

It is to be noted that the way of thinking of this invention to renderbending peculiarity to root portions 52, 53 of the leader tape 35 towhich the magnetic tape 26 is connected and the configuration thereforare applied to an attachment structure for tape body in which the endportion of the tape body is held on the reel hub to wind the tape bodyand a tape cassette provided with such an attachment structure, therebymaking it possible to wind, on the reel hub, tape body on whichinformation signals are recorded such as magnetic tape, etc. withoutdeforming it. Further, the tape body is prevented from undergoingwinding in such state that any projection is caused to take place at aportion of the circumferential direction of the reel hub. Thus, the tapebody can be wound maintaining precisely complete round state withrespect to the reel hub.

In accordance with this invention, since bending peculiarity in thedirection along the winding plane surface is rendered to the rootportion in the vicinity of the holding portion of the tape body held bythe tape reel to deform it, the tape body can be wound so as to formwinding shape of complete round in the state where winding center iscaused to be in correspondence with center of the tape reel.Accordingly, it is possible to carry out drawing operation of the tapebody in the state where drawing velocity from the tape reel is caused tobe constant at all times.

Since tape cassette which can maintain drawing velocity of the tape bodyconstant can be constituted by using such supporting structure for tapebody, when this tape cassette is loaded into the recording/reproducingapparatus to carry out recording and/or reproduction of data, stabletraveling of the tape body is realized. Thus, stable recording and/orreproduction of information signals are realized.

We claim:
 1. A deforming apparatus for a tape body, comprising:a pair oftape reels for respectively supporting end portions of a tape body byrespective clamp members attached to reel hubs provided at respectivecentral portions of said tape reels; a pair of rotatable reel tables onwhich the pair of tape reels are respectively mounted; reel tablepressing operation means for enabling one reel table to undergo relativetranslational movement with respect to the other reel table and forrotating said one reel table; heating means for heating and deformingthe tape body disposed in a manner such that the heating means contactsa hub of said one reel at an end of said movement, and said heatingmeans is structured such that a front end surface is formed so as totake a shape of a curved surface defined as a recess-shaped portionshaped in correspondence with a curvature of the outer circumferentialsurface of a reel hub; and biasing means for rotationally biasing, in adirection opposite to each other, the pair of tape reels respectivelymounted on the pair of reel tables.
 2. A deforming apparatus for a tapebody as set forth in claim 1,wherein the tape body supported between thepair of tape reels is cut, and a magnetic tape for recording informationsignals is connected between respective other end portions thereof.